The Sonepur Cattle Fair once used to attract traders from places as distant as Central Asia.

Originally, the venue of the fair was Hajipur and only the performance of the puja used to take place at the Harihar Nath temple of Sonepur. However, under the rule of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, the venue of the fair got shifted to Sonepur. The temple of Harihar Nath is believed to have been originally built by Lord Rama, on his way to the court of King Janak to win the hand of Mata Sita. It is further said that Raja Man Singh later got the temple repaired. The Harihar Nath temple, as it stands today, was built by Raja Ram Narain, an influential person during the late Mughal period.

Nearly all animals can be bought at the Sonepur mela from all breeds of dogs, camels, buffaloes, donkeys, ponies, monkeys, chimps, Persian horses, sheep, rabbits, bears, cats, and guinea pigs. All varieties of birds, poultry and fishes are also available. The area that attracts all, however, is the one where elephants are lined up for sale. The Sonepur Fair is the only one where such a large number of elephants are sold. Numerous stalls are also set up at the grounds of the Sonepur Cattle Fair. You will find a wide variety of goods in these stalls, ranging from garments, to weapons and furniture, toys, utensils and agricultural implements, jewelry and handicrafts. Major attraction is the sight of numerous elephants, beautifully decorated for the purpose of sale.

According to Hindu mythology, the crocodile is believed to have been in its previous birth a Gandharva chief named Huhu. Huhu had gone to have a bath in this lake and, it is said, caught a holy sage by his leg in a truculent manner. The sage, Dewala Muni, turned furious and cursed the Gandharva chief and changed him into a crocodile as a punishment.

He lived in the lake in the form of a huge crocodile until he was restored to his Gandharva life by the sacred touch of Vishnu (Hari) who, with his "chakra" or discus, cut the throat of the crocodile while rescuing the elephant from his jaws.

Pushkar cattle Fair 2010 - upcoming Event in Rajasthan

On the other hand, the elephant, in its former existence, was a king of the Pandyas, Indradyumna by name, who was a pious man. Once, however, he did not pay his respects to a sage, Agastya. The sage cursed him and made him an elephant. He, too, was saved by Hari's touch, and was allowed to accompany Him to "vaikuntha" or heaven.

As per the tradition, lakhs of Hindus from all over the country assemble at different ghats of Harihar Kshetra at Hajipur and Sonepur on the eve of Kartik Purnima and take holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, the Gandak and the Mehi rivers. The full moon day of the month of Kartik (November) is regarded as one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus. The devotees offer Gangajal to the Harihar Nath temple and this ritual marks the beginning of the Sonepur mela.

The fortnight following the first full moon day in the Hindu month of Kartik Shukla Paksh (Kartik Purnima), which occurs in the period October/ November. Precise duration to be checked up every January.